OAKLAND -- SAD 47 school board chairman Michael Gosselin isn't happy about the $295,000 the district expects to have to cut from the current budget -- the result of Gov. John Baldacci's plan to reduce public-school funding statewide by $27 million.

Rather than make cuts, Gosselin said, he favors simply closing schools once money in the current spending plan runs out, even if that happens in May.

"We don't want to balance this (budget) on the back of the staff," Gosselin said. "They work hard for their money. And we don't want to cut busing or sports."

Gosselin said students could finish the school year in July when money would be available from the 2008-09 fiscal year.

School Superintendent James C. Morse Sr. plans to recommend a more measured response to the expected reduction in state funding when he meets with his school board at 7 tonight at Belgrade Central School.

Morse said about $100,000 is covered by savings generated by retirements. In such cases, Morse said the district was able to reduce salary and benefit costs by hiring less experienced replacements who don't command the same level of compensation.

He said he also will recommend postponing $70,000 in maintenance projects and eliminating $15,000 earmarked for field trips and travel to athletic events outside regular high school sports competitions.

Supplies and textbooks is another area targeted for cuts, he said.

"We'll be able to do this without laying off staff," Morse said. "If the number (on the funding reduction) were significantly larger, I wouldn't be as confident."

Morse said he already has contacted SAD 47 staff about his plan to avoid personnel reductions.

"That was something I thought was important to do," Morse said, "and it was met with palpable relief."

Still, Morse said he is concerned about more drastic state funding reductions in the two-year funding cycle ahead. He said staff cuts and increases in local taxes might be unavoidable. "It is going to be a very gruesome budget for the next two years," he said.

Gosselin said even the more modest cuts Morse recommends to deal with the current funding problem have a negative impact on the school system.

"It stifles creativity," he said. "The field trips are a way for students to learn away from campus and get away from the routine. I think when we start cutting in that area, people start to say why bother scheduling field trips anymore."

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com